The Odyssey has conquered the Australian box office, debuting at number one with a massive $13.4 million opening weekend.
Christopher Nolan’s mythic action epic grossed $13,442,644 from Thursday to Sunday, marking the biggest opening weekend at the Australian box office in 2026 for all films.
The result also gives Universal Pictures its third-biggest Australian opening weekend of all time, behind Jurassic World with $16 million and Fast & Furious 7 with $14.66 million, both released in 2015.
The Odyssey Australian Box Office Opening Sets 2026 Record
The Odyssey has also delivered the biggest opening weekend of Christopher Nolan’s career in Australia for an original film, and his second-biggest opening overall behind The Dark Knight Rises, which opened with $15.1 million in 2012.
Playing across 321 locations nationwide, the film drew moviegoers to a wide range of formats and experiences, including traditional screens, luxury cinemas, IMAX, 4DX and special 70mm film presentations.
Local exhibitor demand has also been strong, with 16,888 sessions programmed across the film’s first week of release.
“The way Australian audiences have embraced Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has been extraordinary. Even before the film opened, the level of demand was unlike anything we had seen for an original film in some time, with cinemas adding midnight and even 6am sessions across the opening weekend to give moviegoers more opportunities to experience it on the big screen,” said Mike Baard, Managing Director, Universal Pictures International Australasia.
“What has been particularly exciting is seeing audiences actively seeking out the experience that is right for them. Whether it’s on the biggest screens, in premium and luxury cinemas, on 70mm film, or at their favourite local cinema, people clearly want the elevated experience of seeing The Odyssey in a cinema. Exhibitors across the country have responded enthusiastically, adding sessions and opening ticket sales weeks in advance to meet that demand.”
The opening weekend follows a record-breaking opening day for The Odyssey, which grossed $2.35 million on Thursday. That made it the biggest opening day of 2026 and Universal’s biggest opening day ever for an original film in Australia.
Audience demand over the four-day opening extended across the full range of cinema experiences available locally. Traditional cinema screens accounted for 82% of the film’s box office, while 18% came from IMAX, IMAX 70mm, 70mm and 4DX presentations.
Seven locations nationally are showing the film on 70mm, including one in IMAX 70mm, drawing fans from all over the world to Melbourne.
The Odyssey has also received widespread critical acclaim, with 95% positive reviews from 377 critics captured on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a 97% Popcornmeter rating from moviegoers.
The Australian success has been mirrored globally, with the film opening to US$264 million worldwide, with key international markets including China, Japan and South Korea still to open.
The Odyssey is in cinemas now.
You can also read our full The Odyssey review on Accessreel.com.
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